Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it would not allow any oil to be shipped from the Middle East if attacks from the US and Israel continue, prompting a warning from US President Donald Trump that the US would respond with increased force. The escalating rhetoric comes as the conflict disrupts global energy markets and raises concerns about a wider regional war.
Threats of Escalation
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to deal Iran with the “most intense day” of American strikes since the start of the war, stating that “the most fighters, the most bombers” would be deployed. He added that the US military was giving Mr. Trump “maximum options” to conduct the war, though he acknowledged the conflict could last three to eight weeks.
Mr. Trump warned that US attacks could rise sharply if Iran sought to block tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. He stated the US would “hit them so hard that it will not be possible for them or anybody else helping them to ever recover that section of the world.”
Positions Remain Firm
The comments came as parties involved appeared to be sticking to their positions, with no diplomatic efforts currently underway to end the conflict, which has killed over 1,000 people. Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani called Mr. Trump’s threats “empty,” stating, “Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s aim is to overthrow Iran’s system of clerical rule, stating, “Our aspiration is to bring the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny.” The Israeli military said it had launched new attacks in central Iran and struck the Lebanese capital Beirut.
Economic Impact and Civilian Toll
Saudi Aramco warned of “catastrophic consequences” for global oil markets if the war continues to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has effectively shut the strait, leaving tankers unable to sail for over a week.
At least 1,332 Iranian civilians have been killed and thousands wounded since the US and Israel launched air and missile strikes across Iran at the end of February, according to Iran’s UN ambassador. Tehran was choked in black smoke after an oil refinery was hit, raising concerns about contamination of food, water, and air, according to the World Health Organization.
International Developments
After speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr. Trump said the US will waive oil-related sanctions on “some countries” to ease the oil shortage, potentially including a further easing of sanctions on Russian oil. Brent crude futures fell more than 10 per cent after soaring the previous day.
Five Iranian women’s soccer team players were granted humanitarian visas in Australia after seeking asylum. Canberra has also promised to send military surveillance aircraft to the Middle East and missiles to the United Arab Emirates.
Turkey reported that NATO air defences had shot down a ballistic missile fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace, though Iran did not immediately comment on the report.
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